Tucked away on Hollywood Boulevard sits Musso & Frank Grill, a true time capsule of Hollywood’s golden era. Since opening its doors in 1919, this legendary establishment has served classic American and European cuisine to generations of movie stars, directors, and writers.
The red leather booths and veteran waiters in red jackets create an atmosphere that transports diners back to the glamorous days of early cinema.
1. Birth Of A Hollywood Legend
When Joseph Musso and Frank Toulet opened their grill in 1919, they couldn’t have imagined creating a century-long Hollywood institution. The restaurant quickly became the meeting spot for the film industry’s pioneers during the silent film era.
Early patrons included Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, who helped cement its reputation as the place to be seen.
2. The Famous Back Room
Behind closed doors, literary giants gathered in Musso’s legendary back room. F. Scott Fitzgerald proofread his novels here while Raymond Chandler and Ernest Hemingway debated over martinis.
The room became Hollywood’s first unofficial writers’ guild, where screenplays were born and deals were sealed with handshakes rather than contracts.
3. Martinis And Mixology Mastery
Perfectly chilled martinis arrive at tables in iconic stemware alongside small carafes containing the remainder of the cocktail. Bartenders follow recipes unchanged since Prohibition ended, mixing drinks exactly as they did when Humphrey Bogart occupied a barstool.
Their Old Fashioned remains one of the most requested classics in Los Angeles.
4. Hollywood’s Power Lunch Spot
Red leather booths have witnessed countless movie deals and career launches over plates of their famous flannel cakes. Studio executives still claim favorite tables, continuing traditions established during Hollywood’s studio system era.
The restaurant’s private dining areas offer the discretion celebrities crave, making it the perfect place for industry power players to meet.
5. The Unchanging Menu
While culinary trends come and go, Musso’s menu stands resolute against time. Their signature grilled meats, prepared on the original grill from 1934, deliver the same flavors enjoyed by Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.
Welsh rarebit, lobster thermidor, and jellied consommé represent classic dishes rarely found elsewhere in modern Los Angeles.
6. The Legendary Waitstaff
Waiters in iconic red jackets have served Hollywood royalty for decades, with some staff members boasting over 50 years of service. These keepers of Hollywood secrets know exactly how Charlie Chaplin liked his eggs and which booth was Orson Welles’ favorite.
Their impeccable service and discretion remain hallmarks of the Musso experience.
7. Silver Screen Appearances
The restaurant itself has become a movie star, appearing in films like Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and countless other productions. Its authentic vintage interior provides directors with a genuine time capsule of old Hollywood glamour.
Television shows from “Mad Men” to “Bosch” have featured scenes filmed within these historic walls.
8. The Grill’s Secret Recipes
Flannel cakes, lighter than pancakes but richer than crêpes, remain one of Hollywood’s most sought-after breakfast indulgences. The recipe, closely guarded for generations, has never changed since the 1920s.
Their famous martini preparation involves storing gin and vermouth in freezers and stirring, never shaking, to achieve the perfect temperature and dilution.
9. Celebrity Corner Booths
Regular patrons from Hollywood’s golden age claimed specific booths as their own. Charlie Chaplin’s corner spot near the front window remained empty when he was filming, while directors like Alfred Hitchcock preferred tables with views of the entire restaurant.
Today, these same booths are requested by new generations of film stars.
10. Surviving A Century Of Change
While neighboring establishments have come and gone, Musso & Frank has weathered economic downturns, prohibition, and changing tastes. The restaurant survived the 2020 pandemic by offering take-out for the first time in its century-long history.
Today, it stands as Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, still owned by descendants of the original families.
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